It was seven o'clock of a very warm evening in the Seeonee hills when Father Wolf woke up from his day's rest. He scratched himself, yawned, and spread out his paws to get rid of the sleepy feeling. Mother Wolf lay with her four little cubs, and the moon shone into the mouth of the cave where they all lived. "Augrh!" said Father Wolf. "It is time to hunt again." He was going to spring downhill when a little shadow with a bushy tail crossed the threshold and whined: "Good luck go with you, O Chief of the Wolves."

The emperor's palace was the most beautiful in the world. It was made of porcelain, and was very costly. In the garden could be seen the most beautiful flowers. Pretty silver bells were tied to the flowers. The bells tinkled so that every one who passed could not help noticing the flowers. There was a big forest behind the palace with lofty trees. Trees were sloping down to the deep blue sea. The great ships sailed under the shadow of the tree branches. In one of these trees lived a nightingale, who sang so beautifully that everyone would stop and listen.